Terrestrial vertebrates of the north-eastern Kanin peninsula
V. V. Anufriev1, P. M. Glazov2, Eu. A. Punantsev1, E. Yu. Churakova1
1N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research UB RAS, Arkhangelsk, Russia
2Institute of Geography RAS, Moscow, Russia
Keywords: Northeastern Kanin Peninsula, terrestrial vertebrates, species composition and distribution
Abstract
Presented is a description of the distribution of terrestrial vertebrates in the northeastern part of the Kanin Peninsula (67°50′47′′ N, 46°20′40′′ E) based on the results of their counts conducted in July 2021. In total, 1 amphibian species, 1 species of reptiles, 57 species of birds and 6 species of mammals were recorded. The vertebrate fauna of this region, located in the dwarf birch tundra zone, is characterized by the presence of boreal species such as the viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara Lichtenstein, tufted duck Aythya fuligula (L.), common goldeneye Bucephala clangula (L.), common crane Grus grus (L.), common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (L.), brown bear Ursus arctos L. and European elk Alces alces L. For the viviparous lizard, this is the northernmost known locality so far. Favorable factors for the distribution of boreal species in this area, in our opinion, are its location on the southern slope of the plateau-like ridge Kanin Kamen, the ruggedness of the relief, primarily deep river valleys with wind-protected and well-heated sides. A tenfold decrease in the density of placement of brood burrows of the Arctic fox Alopex lagopus L. was established in comparison with the 40-50s of the last century, due to the activation of cryogenic processes in permafrost, as a result of which the burrows of this predator, arranged in loose soils, are destroyed.
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